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Creative "Zen Sleek" - just a tad too late or turning the tide?
comment: 16 | Thursday, June 30 (2005) 02:27PM | Posted by Robert Sinke
Sure, there were some rumors going around on this supposedly new Creative player, but we decided to wait and see if those actually turned out to be "real" for once. Seems to be true enough alright.

The new Creative Zen Sleek ("what's in a name?") seems to be aimed at beating the iPod v4... which has just been rendered "outdated" because of the updated, color-only screened iPods. But hey, it's compact (101 x 59 x 17mm - iPod's 104 x 61 x 14/16/19mm, U2, 20GB and 60GB respectively) while weighing 157 grams (iPod: 167 & 187 grams for the U2 & 20GB / 60GB respectively). Screen looks large enough, although very familiar (Touch, Micro, Zen, Xtra...) so we're hoping they can get the contrast right for once.

To beat the ubersmall Archos XS200/202, it offers FM radio, voicerecording and a 16 hour battery life. A jack-of-all-trades in its own way, the Sleek seems to combine both tactile buttons and the well-known Touch strip.

Well, Creative - we knew you could do this. Strange how you didn't manage to pull it off any earlier, though... seems like Apple just rendered monochrome screens "boring", but we'll see. Functionality like FM radio is a dealbreaker to more than a few people. Better be cheap enough, though.

SOURCE (via Engadget)
Comments

Lone

Comments: 973
 		Jun 30 (2005) 02:54PM  

Heh, I told myself I wouldn't buy another 20 GB DAP...but this one looks nifty.



chicubs

Comments: 915
 		Jun 30 (2005) 02:56PM  

could be popular among the hard-core fans who dont need features like a color screen.



scottder

Comments: 185
 		Jun 30 (2005) 04:10PM  

Indeed, if they had come out with this a year ago, it would have raise many more eyebrows.



law1004

Comments: 55
 		Jun 30 (2005) 04:17PM  

ugly


not thanks



law1004

Comments: 55
 		Jun 30 (2005) 04:18PM  

one who has seen the ocean, is not surprised by the river

..... and is not impressed by pretty sights

once he has seen the great forest.



egloskerry

Comments: 410
 		Jun 30 (2005) 04:33PM  

If they throw a color screen on that thing...nice.



IpodH8R

Comments: 53
 		Jun 30 (2005) 05:36PM  

I really dont mind if it doesn't have a color screen...i've used the zen micro, and I tihnk the interface is fine. Maybe a bit more work needs to be done on the scroll bar, but other than that, its a decent player. I hope this one improves, doesn't just rehash (like creative has the tendency to do).



Austin Vaughan
Location: Lenexa, KS
Comments: 768
 		Jun 30 (2005) 05:39PM  

what is the point of this? yet another player with the same bland GUI, controls, screen, features, etc... nothing new. creative has to be the least creative of all dap designers. do they really wonder why they can't make a dent in Apple's marketshare..?

they better just scrap this thing or plan on selling it in the low $ 200 range with the other budget-priced, generic type stuff.

if they had half a brain, they'd ressurect the NJB3 concept - in a moden form factor - as a premium model for hi fi audio enthusiasts.



ElectroPhoenix

Comments: 1
 		Jun 30 (2005) 06:36PM  

I'd have to agree with austion, though I find this one more appealing than the other billions out there.

first love: NJB3
second love: M3 40gb

if they redid the NJB3 with todays tech I think I'd be tempted...



YpoCaramel

Comments: 169
 		Jul 01 (2005) 02:10AM  

Ugly. Sleek and stylish might work - this is not. Creative, unlike Olympus, are not design geniuses and unless they find genius in a hittero unknown employee they should look to offer more features.

Color screen - it depends on how hardcore you are but despite my prefer to simple things I often wish I had a color screen to show people photos after a party or event on my mp3 player. It's convienent on a HD player (just dump everything you have) and plus you already have it with you.

Zen Vision, where are you !



tenaciouso

Comments: 15
 		Jul 01 (2005) 02:35AM  

I like the look of this player, but why oh why does creative insist on keeping that ugly blue backlight? The screen in the micro is pretty nice so I don't understand why Creative doesn't incorporate the same screen/backlight into this player.



Piggen

Comments: 58
 		Jul 01 (2005) 06:12AM  

I think it looks very nice.



Robert Sinke

Comments: 1221
 		Jul 01 (2005) 06:27AM  

having seen those "real life" pictures, I think this picture is deceiving.



TxdoHawk

Comments: 15
 		Jul 01 (2005) 12:40PM  

I almost wound up with a Zen Micro at one point, but issues with the player seemed to run rampant, and I ultimately decided to look elsewhere.

Wouldn't it figure that I'd have to exchange my RD2765...oh well, at least RCA was nice and offered a swap for a new one with almost no questions asked. I'm still waiting for it though. They were nice enough to give me prepaid overnight shipping to send my defective player back...it seems they will take their time with getting me the new one, though.



IpodH8R

Comments: 53
 		Jul 05 (2005) 11:50AM  

I dont know... If everything works right this might be the first creative 20gig hd player I would consider buying... but still, no ogg. bleh.



Anonymous

Guest
 		Aug 16 (2005) 12:37PM  

Just recieved my Zen Sleek yesterday from overseas...

It's a gem of a player. Not too concerned about a color screen..preserves battery life the way I see it. Excellent sound quality (It's made by Creative...come on) as long as you replace the earbuds. Tactile and touch sensitive buttons are easy to use and all menus are customizable and can be rearranged. Not sure if iPod had this option, but you can also delete songs straight from the player.



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